Author: Sebastian Pieper

Fifty-seven students from Arizona State University will travel to Panama in May to provide free dental care. The trip represents the largest single mission organized by the Smiles Abroad student club in its history. The volunteers aim to treat hundreds of patients in underserved communities during their week-long brigade. The group, consisting of pre-dental and dental hygiene students, will set up temporary clinics in partnership with local health authorities. They plan to perform cleanings, extractions, and fillings while also offering preventative education. This initiative highlights a growing focus on dental public health within global service learning. View this post on…

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino delivered a forceful anti-corruption message to the nation’s business leaders this week. Speaking at the inauguration of the new board for the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, Mulino positioned ethics as the cornerstone of his administration. The event marked the official start of Aurelio Barria Pino’s tenure as president of the influential business guild. Mulino used the platform to directly confront allegations of graft that have long plagued Panamanian politics. He framed his government in stark contrast to past administrations. “I am a president with no inner circle, no influence traffickers, and no…

The television program Jump, dedicated to showcasing business startups, premieres its second season this Saturday, April 11th at 10:00 p.m. on TVN Media. Eight entrepreneurs will compete for a one hundred thousand dollar investment prize. This initiative aims to strengthen the local business creation ecosystem by providing finalists with national visibility and strategic mentorship. More than two thousand applicants submitted projects for consideration this season. A selection committee chose only eight to advance to the televised competition. These participants will face a series of business challenges over several weeks, all leading to a final showdown in May. Yescenia Navarro, CEO…

A key legislative committee has advanced a major overhaul of Panama’s public administration decentralization framework. The National Assembly’s Municipal Affairs Committee approved bill 313 in a first debate this week, moving proposed reforms to the full legislative body.The vote followed negotiations with mayors and local district representatives from across the country. Eight committee members backed the initiative, which consolidates two earlier legislative proposals. The reforms aim to clarify and strengthen the flow of resources from the national government to Panama’s municipalities.The proposed legislation modifies 58 articles of the existing 2009 law and adds four new articles. It merges initiatives originally…

Traffic flow has largely returned to normal on Panama’s critical Bridge of the Americas. The vital crossing reopened to light vehicles only 24 hours after a reported explosion forced its temporary closure. Authorities continue to restrict heavy transport as structural assessments proceed.The bridge, which connects Panama City to the country’s western interior, resumed operations at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A technical inspection followed an incident involving an explosion under the structure. Officials immediately implemented a ban on trucks, large buses, and dump trucks to ensure safety while permitting cars, motorcycles, and microbuses to cross.”The lane reversal was implemented this…

The Municipality of Panama invites families to celebrate National Harpy Eagle Day this Sunday, April 12. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Summit Botanical Garden, marking both the national bird and the 17th anniversary of the FestiHarpía festival. Organizers designed the day to honor the iconic raptor while promoting broader environmental awareness. Activities for all ages include educational exhibits, face painting, inflatable games, and conservation talks. A central feature is a costume contest with categories for children ages 2-6 and 7-15. Judges will prioritize creativity and the use of recycled materials in the costumes.…

Panamanian fire investigators are probing a deadly tanker truck explosion under the Bridge of the Americas. The blast occurred on Monday afternoon, April 6, claiming one life and injuring two workers during a fuel transfer operation. Officials now suggest basic flammable liquid safety protocols may have been ignored. The incident involved three tanker vehicles parked beneath the critical crossing. Initial reports indicate the fire started around 4 p.m. local time in the La Boca sector. It quickly spread to the other trucks. The resulting explosion sent shockwaves through the area, raising immediate concerns about structural damage to the bridge itself.…

Panama’s government has formally elevated its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to a matter of national interest. The President signed Executive Decree 17 on April 8, 2026, a move designed to fast-track the country’s accession process with political and administrative priority. This action solidifies Panama’s ambition, first declared in June 2025, to become a full member of the influential international body. The decree mandates a whole-of-government approach to meet the OECD’s demanding standards. It establishes a clear command structure to coordinate the complex technical and legal work required for accession. All public sector entities…

Panama’s rice producers and industrial millers have jointly rejected a government proposal to import 2.9 million quintals of grain this summer. The decision came during a recent meeting of the rice agro-food chain, where both groups confirmed the country currently maintains a 100 percent supply level to meet national demand. This consensus prevents the planned import of foreign rice intended to cover needs from July through August. The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) had floated the import idea to ensure supply continuity for the second half of the year. National stakeholders, however, presented a unified front against it. They argued…

Panama Ports Company S.A. has filed for international arbitration against the global shipping giant Maersk. The legal action, announced this week, stems from a dispute over port terminal operations in Panama that were seized by the state earlier this year. PPC alleges Maersk breached a long-term exclusive contract and collaborated with the Panamanian government in a campaign to replace the company as port operator. The company stated the arbitration proceedings will be seated in London. They are based on a contract that granted Maersk exclusive use of PPC’s port operations and access to strategic facilities and information. PPC contends Maersk…